Two eastern Tennessee towns will take on an international flair later this month when the Ocoee Whitewater Center - home of the 1996 Olympics —- hosts the 2001 Slalom World Championships Sept. 20-23.

More than 250 paddlers from 27 countries will compete in the world championships –- more than participated in the Olympics. The competitors will be staying in Ducktown, Tenn., and Copperhill, Tenn.

This year marks only the second time this international event, held every two years, has been staged in the States. Maryland’s Savage River was host for the 1989 world championships.

American teams were determined on the same course during the U.S. National slalom team trials held May 17-20. Some U.S. competitors expected to fare well in the event include three-time Olympians Joe Jacobi, Scott Shipley and David and Cathy Hearn. Another intriguing American story will be the canoe team of 1972 Olympian Jamie McEwan and his 16-year-old son Devin.

Traditional international powerhouses, France, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will bring a full contingent of 16 boats. Germany will also enter 16 boats while Great Britain will have 15 and Australia 14.

During the planning process for the 1996 Olympics, the Tennessee Valley Authority, which operates the Ocoee generating plant, entered into a five-year agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to provide competitive whitewater on the Ocoee.

Ann Rymer of the Copper Basin Economic Development Association is hoping for a large turnout. She noted this was the last year of the five-year agreement with TVA and that the future of international competition on the Ocoee is uncertain. Large crowds for the event could benefit Ocoee Whitewater Center and the Copper Basin EDA if future negotiations for competition-level discharges are pursued.

Rymer said the site was chosen through an open bidding process. She felt the two deciding factors were the quality of the Olympic course and the Home-Stay program. Area residents have opened their homes to nearly 165 athletes and support team members. She said the athletes and their sponsors were thrilled about the program.

In conjunction with the World Championships, the region is sponsoring International Whitewater Week Sept. 15-23. The week will begin in Chattanooga, Tenn., with that city’s CultureFest 2001 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Coolidge Park. Other activities will include Opening Ceremonies at the Ocoee Whitewater Center and “Cleveland Welcomes the World” party in Cleveland, Tenn.

The championships will be broadcast on Outdoor Life Network with three prime-time viewing episodes plus signal feeds to Eurosport for live broadcasts to European countries.

 

Back to Top
The Smoky Mountain News